Programmed Death Ligand 1: A Step Toward Immunoscore for Esophageal Cancer

This study sought to evaluate the effect of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on the prognosis of esophageal cancer.

Banked tissue specimens from 53 patients who underwent esophagectomies for malignancy at a single institution over a 6-year period were stained for cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3), CD8, and PD-L1. Tumors were characterized as staining high or low density for CD3 and CD8, as well as positive or negative for PD-L1. TIL density and PD-L1 expression were analyzed in the context of survival, recurrence, and perioperative characteristics.

Median follow-up was 823 days, with 92.5% survival and 26.8% recurrence rates. All tumors were adenocarcinomas. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given in 56.6% of cases, and neoadjuvant radiotherapy was given in 37.7%. High CD3 density was found in 83%, whereas high CD8 density was found in 56.6%. A total of 18.9% of the tumors stained positive for PD-L1. Survival was significantly shorter in Kaplan-Meier analysis for patients with primary tumors staining positive for PD-L1 (log rank: p = 0.05). Multivariable analysis controlling for neoadjuvant therapy, TIL markers, PD-L1, age, and sex found no significant difference in recurrence or survival.

Positive staining for PD-L1 may be a prognostic marker for decreased survival in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Additional TIL cell types should be investigated for creation of an esophageal cancer Immunoscore. PD-L1 has potential as a therapeutic target.